NCAA BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT : Kimble Helps Loyola Score Special Win

Playing before a record crowd of 12,200 at Long Beach Arena, Loyola Marymount took the court Friday night for the first time since teammate Hank Gathers died March 4.

The Lions wore round patches with “44”--Gathers’ uniform number--on their jerseys and fans waved Hank Hankies.

The Lions seemed to finally get their emotions under control in the second half and they surged past New Mexico State, 111-92, in the first round of the NCAA tournament. The Lions will play defending champion Michigan Sunday.

Bo Kimble, Gathers’ friend long before he became his Loyola teammate, seemed to be pressing in the first half and drew his fourth foul with 4:45 to play in the first half.

When he drew the fourth foul, Kimble said, “I went through a brief meditation--do not foul . . . do not foul.”

It worked. Kimble finished with a Western Regional record 45 points, 33 in the second half. He scored 35 points after drawing his fourth foul and added a career-high 18 rebounds.

The Lions pulled away from a 46-46 halftime tie as Kimble keyed a 28-6 run in the first six minutes of the second half. The lead grew to 84-56 on a three-pointer by Kimble and the Aggies never got closer than the final margin.

Kimble also made good on a promise to shoot his first free throw left-handed to honor his friend. His chance finally came with 14:46 to play, and he swished the southpaw shot, then was mobbed by teammates.

Loyola outrebounded the Aggies, 51-35, and made 11 three-pointers, nine in the second half. The Lions also forced 24 Aggie turnovers.

“They went after the ball like a one-eyed dog in a butcher shop,” New Mexico State Coach Neil McCarthy said of Loyola.

Westhead said he wasn’t worried about leaving Kimble in with four fouls. “That’s my style,” he said. McCarthy said: “I wasn’t surprised. He’s their main man. I’ve seen Paul do that before.”

Jeff Fryer added 23 points for the Lions, making five three-pointers and adding six rebounds.

Forward Reggie Jordan led the Aggies with 22 points. Center James Anderson added 16. New Mexico State finished the season at 26-5.

Sophomore center Chris Knight, taking over the starting position for Gathers, scored the game’s first basket as the Lions took an 11-1 lead. Knight finished with six points and eight rebounds.

New Mexico State caught up midway through the first half, taking a 18-17 lead, and the teams played evenly to the half.

Westhead made a shift in his trapping press after halftime, and the Lions pulled away, improving to 24-5.

The Lions will play Michigan at 2 p.m. Sunday.

“When we took the floor I sensed a community spirit,” Westhead said. “It was a great feeling to have the community of Los Angeles supporting us.”